Violent thunderstorms are a fact of life around Dallas and Fort Worth TX. We are all familiar with the dangers: lightning, high winds, and hail. We also know all too well the damage severe thunderstorms can cause. Downed trees, broken windows, dented cars, and wind damage to structures are all problems we hope to avoid when the weather turns nasty.

After the storm, we look around our property damage and hope for the best. But not all storm damage is obvious. If hail fell on your roof, you may have a serious problem that that appears to be minor or perhaps one that isn’t visible to the naked eye.

This is how a hailstorm affects roof shingles. With a major thunderstorm, there is a significant drop in temperature in a very short time. This is especially the case when there is a large downdraft with the thunderstorm. The sudden drop in temperature can cause the shingles to harden slightly and become more vulnerable to impact. This is followed by hailstones battering the roof. Relatively small hailstones can fall at speeds of 120 miles per hour, which carries significant force on impact. The result is that the shingles, already weakened by the sudden temperature drop, can crack and begin leaking.

The specific outcome depends on the speed and direction of the wind and the pitch of the roof. These two factors determine how the hailstones impact the shingles. A flatter roof takes more damage in low winds, while a steeper roof suffers greater impact in high winds. Wind direction affects the amount of damage because hailstones blown directly into a roof impact it harder than ones coming in sideways.

Small indentations are generally not a cause for concern, but cracks and splits will shorten the life of the shingle or even render it useless for protecting your home. Older shingles are more vulnerable to storms than newer ones because they have experiencedb routine wear and tear for a longer period of time.

Because hail damage to shingles can easily be missed by a layperson, it is a good idea to have the roof professionally inspected after a hailstorm. If the inspection shows that the roof is damaged, it will need to be repaired or replaced.

The hail damage repair cost for hail damage to shingles depends on the extent of the damage. If it is confined to a relatively small area, the fix might simply involve replacing a few shingles. If the damage is more widespread, the roof will need to be partially or completely replaced. This is a much bigger job, as it may require going all the way down to the plywood and replacing the boards, paper, and shingles.

In addition, repair costs tend to be higher after a weather disaster due to the sudden increase in demand for materials and labor. The best course of action is to hire an established, reputable contractor who offers protections such as a long-term warranty and guarantees of their work. This will protect you from paying too much or having the repairs done in a substandard manner.

For more information, contact Miller Weedn, the owner of Raintight General Contracting in Dallas TX and an expert in repairing hail damage to shingles. If you have insurance and need a  hail damage repair cost estimate, RainTight will work with your insurance company for you. Then the repairs are done hassle free so you don’t have to lift a finger. Learn more about insurance claims HERE or call us at 214-693-6196.